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Factors that influence the toxicity levels of metals in water and soils: a case study of Lake Nike, Enugu, Nigeria

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Abstract

Establishing factors that affect contaminants including potentially toxic metals in a freshwater and its surrounding soil is necessary to control the transfer of toxins into the food chain. We documented the seasonality in temperature, dissolved oxygen (DO), soil organic carbon (SOC), pH, and water color on the behavior of toxic metals in water and soil of Lake Nike. Slope and seasons statistically related significantly (p < 0.05) with DO and SOC. Only Ni was not statistically related significantly to pH, water color, and temperature of the water, while mercury and cadmium statistically related significantly to the soil pH. Temperature and pH were within the WHO safety limits which are 20–32 °C and 6.5–8.5, respectively, in both water and soil samples. Potentially toxic metals levels for lead (Pb) (0.47–2.10 mg/L), mercury (Hg) (0.57–2.01 mg/L), cadmium (Cd) (0.34–1.82 mg/L), and nickel (Ni) (0.56–2.09 mg/L) exceeded the 0.01, 0.001, 0.003, and 0.02 mg/L WHO safety limits, respectively, while Zinc (Zn) level which ranged from 0.24 to 2.51 mg/L was within the WHO limit (5 mg/L) and the standard organization of Nigeria (SON) limit (3.0 mg/L) in both seasons. From our study, Lake Nike could be relatively toxic, and unsafe for aquatic habitation and human consumption.

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Acknowledgements

The study was supported with facilities from the Department of Zoology and Environmental Biology, and the National Center for Energy Research and Development, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State. We also thank the following people for their help with various aspects of this project: Dr. NS. Oluah. Mr. EC. Odii, Dr. IE. Onah. Mrs. TD. Melefa, Mrs. EA. Orji, and Mrs. FF. Hinmikaiye.

Funding

This study was solely funded by the authors.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Zoology and Environmental Biology, University of Nigeria, P.O. Box 3146, Nsukka, Enugu State, Nigeria

    Ngozi Evelyn Ezenwaji, Felix Atawal Andong, Ijem Anya Nnachi, Daniel Aniede & Elijah Sunday Okwuonu

  2. Department of Science Laboratory Technology, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State, Nigeria

    Joseph Chinedum Ndefo

  3. A. P. Leventis Ornithological Research Institute, University of Jos, Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria

    Felix Atawal Andong

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  1. Ngozi Evelyn Ezenwaji
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Contributions

The study was conceived and designed by NEE, FAA, IAN, DA, ESO and JCN. The study was performed by NEE, FAA, IAN, DA, ESO and JCN. The laboratory work was conducted by NEE, ESO, IAN and JCN. The statistical design and data analyses by FAA. Manuscript was edited and approved for submission by NEE, FAA, IAN, DA, ESO and JCN.

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Correspondence to Joseph Chinedum Ndefo.

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Ezenwaji, N.E., Andong, F.A., Nnachi, I.A. et al. Factors that influence the toxicity levels of metals in water and soils: a case study of Lake Nike, Enugu, Nigeria. Aquat Sci 84, 18 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00027-022-00848-5

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